Hopelessly Devoted {ManxMan} [Book II]

Chapter 5

B A S I L E

The morning after my lunch with Zachary I had just gotten out of the shower when my mom called.

"Hello?"

"Basile!" Her voice was happy, "You went on a date?!"

"Wait what? Where did you hear this?" I asked shocked.

"It's on the news, you and... oh what's that cute boys name... Zachary is it? Why didn't you tell me?"

"Well for one I just got lunch with him and it was only yesterday!" I was starting to get annoyed. God I hated the media.

"You still could have told me."

I began to rub my temples to try and sooth the headache this conversation was causing.

"Mom, I need to go, I'll call you later."

I hung up before she could say anything else.

I finished getting ready and headed for my office. I skipped the café so I could get to my office fast enough to fix this mess. But as I walked passed the café a surge of regret hit me and I felt the overwhelming need to go in there if only to see Zachary for a few seconds.

But I pushed that away, I needed to fix this. If I did decide that I actually wanted to go out with Zachary, and he wanted too also of course, then I wouldn't want our relationship to be blown up and exaggerated all over the media.

I walked through the doors and repoters were filling the room. Just when they started to swarm me Asher ran up to me and led me to the elevator, before he could speak I spoke, "Go get Eve. I need to talk to her." Eve was my publicist and I needed her to fix this.

I rode the elevator to my office and met Eve and Archer in my office.

"Good morning sir." She greeted.

I skipped the pleasantries and got straight to buisness, "I need you to help me get rid of this nonsense all over the media."

"What? About you and Zachary?"

"Yes."

"Well it might be a little late for that. Everyone has already seen it. The best thing you can do is just deny it. There are about twenty reporters on the first floor trying to get the story. If you just let one of them ask a few questions then you can deny it. I'd go down with you and talk to a few myself. But that's the only way you can 'fix' it."

I nodded, "You can't tell anyone this," I looked at Archer and Eve, "But if I did start a relationship with anyone and I didn't want the media to manipulate and exaggerate it, then I would have to make it a secret relationship?"

"Yes, until you and your partner were ready to share your relationship with the media." Eve answered.

"You like Zachary, don't you?" Archer's smile widened as he spoke.

I simply nodded, "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone." He reassured.

I knew he wouldn't, Archer was loyal and it is one of the reasons I hired him in the first place. Over the years he has probably grown to be the closest thing I have to a friend.

"Before I go down and talk to the reporters, give me my schedule for today."

Archer read my schedual and I was happy to hear that the earliest meeting I had was at one. So I decided that I would speak to a few reporters with Eve and then stop by the café.

"Come one Eve."

We rode the elevator down and began to answer their questions. The story that we had decided on was that Zachary and I were simply friends and the media presumed our relationship wrong.

It worked and soon the reporters filled out of the building.

I turned to Archer and told him that I would be out of a bit but not to worry, I would be back before one.

Z A C H A R Y

I felt a little hurt when Basile didn't show up at the cafe. Was he just lying yesterday?

I tried to push it away but my mind couldn't stop listing off possible reasons why he didn't show up. None of them good.

I was about to call it a day and go home a little early but a handsome face walked in and I couldn't leave just yet.

Basile walked up to the counter and I saw a hint of a smile.

"Can I talk to you for a second?"

There was no one else in the cafe except for Margret and she was in the ladies room.

I nodded, "Of course."

"Well I was wondering if you had any plans this weekend?"

My smile grew, "Nope, I'm free."

"Well would you like to accompany me to this small, but amazing, diner a few towns over?"

"Sure. When?"

"Sunday? Eight?"

"Sounds perfect." I felt my cheeks redden as I thought about my next question. I decided to take a chance and ask, "So... is this a-"

"A date?" He finished for me. I nodded.

"Do you want it to be?" He asked, the corner of his lip turned up in a half smile.

I felt my cheeks redden more. I don't think I've ever blushed this much before.

I nodded slowly, "Then it's a date." He was fully smiling now.

"I really wish I could stay longer but I have to get back to work."

"It's okay," I smiled, "I'll see you Sunday."

He nodded and was out the door.

Just as he walked out Margret walked out of the bathroom, "Did I miss anything?"

I shook my head, "Nope, not a thing."